It's been my experience that the additional reward doesn't outweigh the additional work.

Don't you think with the HOA there, it's still easier to manage on your own compared to single-family?

Get the inspection report and check comparable properties quickly for condition and then go to the seller with your proposed reductions and be able to point out condition-comparable properties in keeping with your proposed price reduction.

We recommend you get management contracts from several PMCs and compare the services they cover and, more importantly, what they each DO NOT cover.

Here are some numbers: Current PITI: $3,970Estimated rent: $4500-$5000 (there are several homes within 4 blocks of mine that owners have turned into rentals and I've been able to compare online pics to our home, so I am confident this is a good estimate)Sq ft: 1790Estimated sale price today: 1150000-1250000Mortgage balance: 612,000I would self manage. 

It's a risk-reward proposition and for us here in Columbus, I see a lot of saturation with STR, but we have very high demand for MTR so most of the properties in our portfolio wind up being mid terms. 

@Philip Jones we've helped our clients do over a hundred.As some of the lenders posting have pointed out, the challenges are:1) Property value and corresponding loan size2) Appraisals have much better comparables than 5 years ago, but may still be an issue.3) Property condition can be an issue via the appraisal4) Ownership seasoning - most lenders looking for 6+ months or incredible documentation for cost of improvements made.5) Most DSR lenders require professional property management.Always try a small local bank or credit union, but most will expect you to transfer your business bank accounts over to them. 

Quote from @Jay Hinrichs: my advice is to get some cash first.. dont be so focused on super high leverage. do seller finance first .. forget sub too until you are very well established and have ability to cash out the loans or refi on a moments notice @Don Konipol  Don gave you chapter a verse about the sub to risk/rewards.

I hate full blown Landlord Software because I only have about 10 units and hate the fees...I am a big fan of the "Lite" Landlord Software and the only one for rent payment that can be 100% free for the landlord and the tenant WITH automatic late fees is apartments.comI actually did a whole video about this on my YouTube channel comparing the must have features of any rental collection tool!

Where does that rent compare to market rent?